Metadata
Title
Coleman, William
Description
William Coleman was a master builder listed as an early member of The Carpenters' Company in 1786, but no Company records prior to the l760s survive to confirm the dates of his membership. Typical of early building trade craftsmen, Coleman married Rebecca Bradford, daughter of the early Philadelphia house carpenter Thomas Bradford; and his daughter, Ann, married master builder Edward Warner. This William Coleman may be the same who was apprenticed to Edmond Chesmore in the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, London, 1686-1693. In 1724-1725, Coleman was a Philadelphia Commissioner overseeing work on the Court House.
Biography from Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss.
Biography from Philadelphia Architects and Buildings, a project of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Written by Roger W. Moss.
Member Number
18*
Last Name
Coleman
First Name
William
Birth Date
1/11672
Deceased Date
1/1/1728
Spouse Name
Rebecca Bradford
Children
Ann see "reference"; also William, Jr., Thomas, Sarah
Descendant
Judith Carol Bemis
Project
1724-25, was Phila. Commissioner overseeing work on the Court House.
see "reference"
Reference
*Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects page 154. Was a master builder listed as an early member of the Carpenters' Company in 1786, but no Company records prior to the 1760s survive to confirm the dates of his membership. Typical of early building trade craftsmen, Coleman married Rebecca Bradford; and his daughter, Ann, married master builder Edward Warner (q.v.). This William Coleman may be the same who was apprenticed to Edmond Chesmore in the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, London, 1686-1693. In 1724-25, Coleman was a Philadelphia Commissioner overseeing work on the Court House. See Selected Bibliography in Tatman & Moss Bio Dictionary Phila. Architects Bio Dictionary Phila Architects. Volume at Carpenters' Hall and The Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Note Pennsylvania Gazette piece. See "Growing With America, The Fox Family of Philadelphia,"by Joseph M. Fox, published 2006. Copy in Fox file. page 39 - Coleman married Bradford's daughter.
*Birth date determined by research of Spencer Roach.
*Building. Early America page 45. Earliest member of The Company. Also gives information on later members of his family.
*Hannah Roach paper, page 5aa It also became clear (in studying early records) that there was a certain continuity of relationship between these early members -- a continuity which is still in evidence today. For example, the general contractor of the present alterations to this building -- Ray Shoemaker -- a member of the Carpenters' Company since 1952 -- is the father-in-law of John Ball, Jr., a recent president of the Company. In the 18th century, William Coleman, for instance, whose death in 1728 was the first of the "Original Associators," had married Rebecca Bradford, daughter of Thomas Bradford, also a carpenter, who died in 1722/3. When Rebecca Coleman died in 1770, in her 92nd year, it was said she remembered Philadelphia when there were only three houses in it, having come to the Delaware in 1683. Their daughter Ann Coleman married the carpenter Edward Warner who had been apprenticed to James Portues. Portues in his turn had come to Philadelphia on the "Welcome" as an apprentice to William Wade, one of Penn's First Purchasers. After Wade's death on the "Welcome" during the crossing, Portues was apprenticed to John Songhurst, also a carpenter, "Welcome" purchaser and First Purchaser. When Portues died early in 1737, aged about 72, he left his residuary estate to Warner and Joseph Fox, who had also been his apprentice. Other bequests he made included 40 pounds to the carpenter John Nicholas, probably a former apprentice, 50 pounds to Nicholas's mother, and 40 pounds to his then apprentice William Rakestraw.
*Hannah Roach paper 6aa Most of the "Original Associators" and early members were responsible in one way or another for a large share of the carpentry that went into the public buildings going up in the city. Some records have survived which throw light on the erection of some of the early ones, notably the Court House at the intersection of 2nd and High or Market Street, the new Prison at the southwest corner of Third and High, the Workhouse south of the Prison on Third Street, and the State House on Chestnut between 5th and 6th. The first three buildings were erected and maintained under the direction of the Philadelphia County Commissioners, and four of the early members of the Carpenters' Company served as commissioners while they were being erected or repaired. William Coleman was the first of these members; his term was from 1722 to 1725. James Portues's term -- 1723-1726 -- overlapped Coleman's. Edward Warner, Coleman's son-in-law, was a commissioner from 1731 to 1734, and then was elected to the Assembly where he represented Philadelphia County until his death in 1754. Joseph Fox served as a commissioner from 1746 through 1748, and in the Assembly represented Philadelphia County from 1753 to 1771.
*Hannah Roach paper, 8aa Coleman's role in construction of Court House, 2nd & High Sts.
*Hannah Roach paper, page 13aa Comments on his work with others at Christ Church.
*See Fox file folder Excerpts from paper on his role in Laurel Hill property.
*(Hannah Roach notes) Letters of administration granted 29 November 1728 to the widow Rebecca. Phila. Administration Book C, 186 #49:1731. Rebecca Coleman, widow, d. 12 September 1770, in 92nd year; came to Philadelphia about 1683. Remembered Philadelphia with only three houses.
*Hannah Roach paper (New Prison & Work-house) William Coleman's participation in construction.
*Note from Ms. Bemis: I am a descendant of George Clymer, who was adopted and raised by Coleman.
*Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1739/1751; G; 12; 59; Peters, R.
1751/1766; H; 3; 547; Claypoole, George
1751/1766; H; 1; 516; Ord, Ann
1751/1766; H; 21; 159; Lardner, L.
1766/1781; I; 1; 393; Hart, Thomas
1766/1781; I; 10; 424; Potts, Joseph
Defendents/Sheriff Sales File Data from City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Book; Page; Year; Purchaser)
B-3; 372; 1776; Kling, John
*Birth date determined by research of Spencer Roach.
*Building. Early America page 45. Earliest member of The Company. Also gives information on later members of his family.
*Hannah Roach paper, page 5aa It also became clear (in studying early records) that there was a certain continuity of relationship between these early members -- a continuity which is still in evidence today. For example, the general contractor of the present alterations to this building -- Ray Shoemaker -- a member of the Carpenters' Company since 1952 -- is the father-in-law of John Ball, Jr., a recent president of the Company. In the 18th century, William Coleman, for instance, whose death in 1728 was the first of the "Original Associators," had married Rebecca Bradford, daughter of Thomas Bradford, also a carpenter, who died in 1722/3. When Rebecca Coleman died in 1770, in her 92nd year, it was said she remembered Philadelphia when there were only three houses in it, having come to the Delaware in 1683. Their daughter Ann Coleman married the carpenter Edward Warner who had been apprenticed to James Portues. Portues in his turn had come to Philadelphia on the "Welcome" as an apprentice to William Wade, one of Penn's First Purchasers. After Wade's death on the "Welcome" during the crossing, Portues was apprenticed to John Songhurst, also a carpenter, "Welcome" purchaser and First Purchaser. When Portues died early in 1737, aged about 72, he left his residuary estate to Warner and Joseph Fox, who had also been his apprentice. Other bequests he made included 40 pounds to the carpenter John Nicholas, probably a former apprentice, 50 pounds to Nicholas's mother, and 40 pounds to his then apprentice William Rakestraw.
*Hannah Roach paper 6aa Most of the "Original Associators" and early members were responsible in one way or another for a large share of the carpentry that went into the public buildings going up in the city. Some records have survived which throw light on the erection of some of the early ones, notably the Court House at the intersection of 2nd and High or Market Street, the new Prison at the southwest corner of Third and High, the Workhouse south of the Prison on Third Street, and the State House on Chestnut between 5th and 6th. The first three buildings were erected and maintained under the direction of the Philadelphia County Commissioners, and four of the early members of the Carpenters' Company served as commissioners while they were being erected or repaired. William Coleman was the first of these members; his term was from 1722 to 1725. James Portues's term -- 1723-1726 -- overlapped Coleman's. Edward Warner, Coleman's son-in-law, was a commissioner from 1731 to 1734, and then was elected to the Assembly where he represented Philadelphia County until his death in 1754. Joseph Fox served as a commissioner from 1746 through 1748, and in the Assembly represented Philadelphia County from 1753 to 1771.
*Hannah Roach paper, 8aa Coleman's role in construction of Court House, 2nd & High Sts.
*Hannah Roach paper, page 13aa Comments on his work with others at Christ Church.
*See Fox file folder Excerpts from paper on his role in Laurel Hill property.
*(Hannah Roach notes) Letters of administration granted 29 November 1728 to the widow Rebecca. Phila. Administration Book C, 186 #49:1731. Rebecca Coleman, widow, d. 12 September 1770, in 92nd year; came to Philadelphia about 1683. Remembered Philadelphia with only three houses.
*Hannah Roach paper (New Prison & Work-house) William Coleman's participation in construction.
*Note from Ms. Bemis: I am a descendant of George Clymer, who was adopted and raised by Coleman.
*Grantor File Data from the City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Date; Book; No.; Page; Grantee)
1739/1751; G; 12; 59; Peters, R.
1751/1766; H; 3; 547; Claypoole, George
1751/1766; H; 1; 516; Ord, Ann
1751/1766; H; 21; 159; Lardner, L.
1766/1781; I; 1; 393; Hart, Thomas
1766/1781; I; 10; 424; Potts, Joseph
Defendents/Sheriff Sales File Data from City of Philadelphia Archives:
(Book; Page; Year; Purchaser)
B-3; 372; 1776; Kling, John
File Number
a
Grantor Records Notes
Grantor index has sale of 7 properties in sequence (beginning with H, 1, 516) to Ann Ord.